Can My Puppy Catch My Cold?

Q: My dog sleeps in my room at night in his cage on top of his blanket. I'm sick with a slight fever, should I move my dog out of my room until I'm feeling better? Or will my dog be fine?

A: There really isn't any reason to change the routine while you are ill. Viral infections are species specific, meaning the strain that affects us does not affect other species. Likewise a virus that causes in infection in your dog is rarely contagious to you. Bacterial infections, especially those which cause us to be ill are many times species specific also. Bottom line is don't worry about your puppy being with you while you are sick.